Over a dozen different projects in Amsterdam’s downtown area could come to fruition if the city is successful in winning a $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative grant from New York State. City and Montgomery County officials met Tuesday at City Hall at the third of four planned public meetings to discuss the progress of the application, which is due June 1, and to hear input from the public. One community within each of the ten regional economic development councils in New York State will be selected to receive the grant. The application process is being led by the Montgomery County Business Development Center. The county has also applied in two previous years for the grant.
The application calls for the description of both prior private and public investments within the downtown area as well as plans for future projects. Some of the projects that are proposed to be included in the application include:
- A community/recreation center, potentially with an indoor field, track, and basketball courts, located in the East End neighborhood
- Creation of an additional parking lot and shovel-ready space for private development on the property currently owned by Santos Construction Company on Erie Street
- An addition to the Amsterdam Free Library that would provide space for a large conference room, art gallery, and makerspace.
- Removal of the Route 5 arterial
- A parking garage on East Main Street
- Creating a marina on the south side, and a ferry service along the Mohawk River
- Exploration of restoring the grid traffic pattern to downtown by removing or re-configuring Riverfront Center
- Burying power lines to create more walkable space
- Signage at the intersection of Route 30 and Main Street
- Conversion of the former bank building at 6 Market St into office space
- A 132-unit residential complex and restaurant/banquet hall on the former Chalmers property, currently in the planning stages by KCG Development
- A restaurant building on Bridge Street, owned by Rob Zyzes Sr. and Rick Insogna, which is currently available for lease
- A multi-modal transportation hub to the west of the Route 30 bridge, which would take the place of the existing train station and also serve as a bus stop, and provide other amenities. A initial study of the project was completed earlier this month.
- The former Key Bank building on Main Street which is owned by Cranesville Properties and is being transformed into a 24-unit upscale apartment building with plans for a pub and other commercial space on the ground floor
Montgomery County Communication Specialist Andrew Santillo, who chaired the meeting, encouraged residents to contact him with questions, comments, or ideas at asantillo@co.montgomery.ny.us or 518 -853-5010.
The next public meeting is scheduled for May 29 at 10:00am in the council chambers at City Hall.
